Cypriot tennis player, Marcos Baghdatis, has returned to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open 2023 Legends competition for the first time.
Baghdatis won the Australian Open boys’ singles title in 2003 and almost replicated that result in the men’s singles competition three years later, memorably advancing to the Australian Open 2006 final against Roger Federer.
The 37-year-old, who made his last Australian Open appearance in 2019, is partnering two-time Grand Slam finalist, Mark Phillippoussis, at this year’s Legends competition.
The dynamic duo played their first exhibition doubles match on Sunday against six-time Australian Open doubles champions Mike and Bob Ryan, who returned to Melbourne Park for the first time since their 2020 retirement.
Baghdatis and Philippoussis lost the first set 6-1 and made a better fist of it in the second set, but ultimately lost 6-1 6-4 to the American brothers.
The match wasn’t without drama as Philippoussis accidently hit a nearby ballkid during the first set. Trailing 5-1 in the first set, Philippoussis raced off the court during a rally to try and hit a backhand back in play.
He was aiming to flick the ball around the net but the ballkid, kneeling in position, was in the firing line and copped the ball to the body under their armpit.
Philippoussis, known as The Scud, gave the ball girl a fake angry look and a hug and she gave a big smile and shook it off.
This year’s Legends competition gives fans the chance to see some of the sport’s most popular players from the past in action at Melbourne Park from Sunday 22 January – Thursday 26 January.
The competition consists of a random number of rounds where the team with the most wins is crowned champion.
Baghdatis and Philippoussis will next play Tommy Haas and Radek Stepanek this week.
